A/N: New chapter is here! Hope you all like it so far! Sorry it took so long to update but I finally graduated high school and have the whole summer to work on this! So please ignore any mistakes you make see, and with that, let's begin!
Summary: When a spunky, backpacking blonde moves into a remote village outside the city, he doesn't know what to expect. The only thing that seems to make him feel better is his aloof neighbor who hates his guts. Maybe opposites attract after all. AU. Yaoi. NaruSasu. R&R
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters depicted in this story.
Chapter 2: Awkward Encounters
I hate a lot of people. It's the honest truth. I just rather be alone, living on my own, providing for myself without the help of anyone.
I've ignored mostly everyone and I hate mostly everybody. But for some reason…
I especially hate him.
Sasuke kept his stature straight as his dark eyes pore into the small man in front of him, who by all means, seemed to despise and let out anger at the raven. Standing in the beautiful empty bathroom, just a stare off between two polar opposites who not only absolutely were disgusted by the other but were unaware of each other's need here.
He had a feeling this was his brother's doing, although unsure how Itachi found out about his outgoing and annoying neighbor nor his dislike for said man.
He just knew he had something to do with it. Itachi always did.
He turned his eyes back to the blond whose ruffled locks were framing his face and his blue eyes dancing with rage. The collar of the shorter man's button down showing a addicting view of the tan skin of his collarbone, one that the lankier of the two, noticed with dismay.
And his seemingly serene life was out of order once again.
"You must be joking." his husky voice spoke roughly at the shorter man who played with the cuffs of his shirt pulling them back along with his jacket, on his slim arms.
Naruto kept his stare blank as Sasuke continued speaking, watched him with a different glint in his azure orbs.
"You want to make an enemy of me?" he teased but the intensity of his glare did not lessen a bit.
Sasuke felt a sharp tug on his tie, which uttered a chocking sound out of him as he was forced even closer to Naruto who only smiled sinisterly.
"I really do."
Then with a kick to the groin, Sasuke was nothing but a crumbling man on the floor, writhing in pain as Naruto smugly walked out of the bathroom, rubbing his hands as if he had done some hard labor.
It's decided.
Sasuke cringed on the floor once more before grabbing the black marble wall for support, his bangs covering his frown.
I'm going to kill him.
…
Itachi knew something had happened the moment Naruto returned and took his seat respectfully, with a gloomy look of dread on his face that gave him a foxy, surprised look. He could tell the blond went though a lot his last few moments in the bathroom by the nervous shakiness his hands held as he placed them on the white table cloth. Naruto sighed deeply before turning his attention back to the menu that was placed in front of him pretending to be at ease. He failed miserably.
Itachi also knew how pissed Sasuke had been as he practically stomped his way back to the area, everyone around him trying their best not to make contact as the aura he gave off was rather, in a word, terrifying. The Uchiha men had that effect on people.
"You were off in rather a hurry brother. Problems?" the much older black haired man begun, watching with amusement the other resembling raven who pulled back the wooden chair to sit.
"You wish. " Sasuke spoke although he knew he didn't sound convincing and could feel himself sending pointed glares to a shrinking blond who was trying to hide behind the confines of a plastic menu.
The lunch proceeded quietly, Naruto felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, every time he made eye contact with the men who hated him, not entirely sure if it was Sasuke or Itachi he should be more scared of.
Maybe both.
Naruto visibly gaped at the food that was placed in front of him while the two rich goons just sat there with the same indifferent, cold, stare.
And people say they don't get along.
"So, Sasuke, what have you been up too? Written any best-sellers as of yet?"
The younger Uchiha who was gladly ignoring the other two and was chewing on his food, slowed down, blanking at the question. He reluctantly turned his gaze to the blond who wore a confused and dazed look before he sent a much more pointed stare to his sibling.
"You know I don't like discussing my work." Sasuke kept a icy tone although his words sounded harsh as they were spoken thought gritted teeth.
"I take that as a no." Itachi smiled, although it didn't reach his demanding dark eyes.
Naruto made sure not to make any sudden movements due to the predatory presence between the two alpha males who refused to let down. He could feel his regret over all the actions that led to this very moment causing various thoughts to swim in his mind, making him feel dizzy.
Itachi raised a delicate eyebrow before turning to the blond with a playful smirk.
"Naruto, are you a big reader? Sasuke is one of Japan's most aspiring authors. Isn't that right, brother?" Itachi's voice reeked with sadism and cruelty.
The young lad lifted his head up slowly, hoping if he pretended not to be there that his being would disappear altogether.
It didn't work.
And there a long afternoon of glares, conversations of fake intrigue, and awkward silences filled with the clanking of metal utensils against plates, lead the dreary day and Naruto could feel his soul slowly diminishing as he prayed for his safe return hone.
…
In the lobby of the building, Naruto walked with Itachi with Sasuke trailing behind them, listening in on the conversation between the two with a pondering look.
"Thank you for the lunch. It was…different. Although, I don't really understand my need to be here." Naruto sighed out as he walked following his footsteps, refusing to lift his head to meet the intimidating onyx eyes of the man with a steeled expression.
"You've done more than enough, actually. Usually I'm lucky to even get a single word out of him. I thank you for that." Itachi's gelled back head lowered to the stumbling blond who fumbly dropped his own head down in response.
"It was nothing, really."
"I wish you a quick trip back to the village and send my best regards to Tsunade."
They exchanged a strong handshake and Naruto paced to the swiveling exit doors, turning his head around to make eye contact with Sasuke, who stood against a large podium that rose to the ceiling in the lobby, his arms crossed against his chest as he raised his fingers to loosen his tie.
The nervous boy gulped loudly.
He never ran out of a building so quickly in his life.
…
The two raven's watched the departure of the blond who stepped out into the still bright streets of the city, his head of blond hair in a mass of brunettes a last view before he vanished into the crowd completely.
Itachi was the first to break the silence as he noticed Sasuke's stare at the ground where the blond had stood.
This is interesting.
"His quirky attitude is rather refreshing, wouldn't you agree?" The other raven replied with nothing but a grunt for an answer.
I guess I need to pry a little deeper.
"Doesn't he remind you of that boy who used to follow you around helplessly? What ever happened to him?"
Sasuke visibly paled and turned to the other brother, his stature straightening and a deep scowl etched on his gorgeous features.
"Watch it, Itachi. There is a limit to how much I'm willing to deal with you. Don't push it. I came here, so just give me what I need and let me leave." He spoke matter of factly but the acidic undertone behind his words stung none the less.
"I don't know why you try to deny the obvious resemblance between the two. It's uncanny. Don't you think?"
A flicker of understanding and rage lit in Sasuke's eyes and he turned his face to meet his brother's, shortening the distance between the two to stare directly into his opponent's face that looked too much like his own.
"Is that why you brought him here? To mess with me?"
Itachi smiled before speaking.
"I brought him here to open your eyes. This little rebellious stage of yours is getting rather old, little brother. Return to the company, return to our home, return to our family and stop waiting for someone who never is going to come. " He pointed into the younger siblings chest, pushing him back until he resembled a deer in headlights but Sasuke regained his composure before pushing the other away from him.
"Family? Is that what you call It? We were never a family."
Sasuke was on his way out of the building but stopped in his tracks without turning.
"You haven't changed a bit, Itachi. Trying to break me into the Uchiha guideline you follow so well. Needlessly over and over again, aren't you as tired as I am?"
The older of the two said nothing.
"No natter what you do. It won't work." Sasuke continued. A sinister snicker was heard from behind him and his displeasure increased dramatically.
"Even if that blond turns out to be the one you are waiting for?" Itachi cried out, his voice echoing and surrounding him.
It was his turn to laugh.
"Asking questions you already know the answers to. Foolish."
The dark raven turned eerily to make eye contact with the man he used to care so much for, but who was nothing than a stranger to him now. He sneered once more.
"Itachi, you and I both know…that idiot will never be him."
…
Sasuke was more than happy to get out of the noisy city and head back to the quiet oasis that was the country. The ordeal of having to face his brother and being stuck with his distasteful neighbor was taking toll. He slowly strolled besides the train tracks, watching the sun set into the orange and pink hues that colored the sky, waiting just like everyone else to get out of the diseased Tokyo. As he sat on the benches along the train station, he breathed in a cool, breath of air. How exhausting it was to deal with Itachi.
After everything, he just wanted to go home and drink a calming tea, read a book, and listen to some relaxing classical music. He closed his eyes as he thought about the bliss.
But they opened again, when a familiar, repulsive laugh exploded in his ears. Only an idiot could possess a laugh like that.
There goes my hopes of a peaceful evening.
He watched the blond, who he thought was dressed in a suit, now wearing a large orange sweatshirt and a pair of beige shorts that made his already smaller than average figure a little more tiny.
The colors made him stand out, not like his blinding bright tresses and blue eyes didn't already.
The idiot was walking besides an elderly woman, smiling with his perfect teeth as he carried a couple boxes in his calloused and dirtied hands while continuing to be completely intrigued in the conversation he was currently having. Smudges of dirt were etched across his otherwise perfect completion and Sasuke could feel his nose scrunch just thinking about it.
Sasue'se face remained still as he continued to observe the too much so energetic blue eyed man, his eyes finding it otherwise difficult to focus any place else.
This would just have to do.
The loud bells and whistles that signaled the train's approach made him rise from his seat. He unwillingly entered the same rusty car as Naruto but decided to sit in the corner to be able to watch more closely without being seen.
He didn't want to make it seem like he was stalking the fellow.
The car was pretty full, and he watched as Naruto gave up his seat for the woman next to him, as he kept the heavy boxes in his hand so no one would find them to be in the way.
The woman several times said it was fine and that she was capable to carry them, but Naruto would just reply with a grin and say,
"Don't worry. I'm stronger than I look!"
Sasuke could not help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
When they arrived at the village, he observed in the shadows as Naruto led out the woman by the arm, talking bubbly with her as they began to walk down the street.
Night had already arrived, the busy small town now quiet as most of the citizens were either working or asleep and the moon and stars hung on, being the only source of light.
"You don't need to walk me home." The elderly woman said as she blushed along the blonde, a noticeable smile forming on her wrinkled skin.
"What do you mean? I can't let such a cute grandma walk alone at night. My conscience won't let me." He spoke with a grin as they walked on, unaware of Sasuke walking behind them from a distance.
What an idiot.
He reminisced when he first the saw the dobe walk into the building, and how dumb he looked. Landing straight on his face with not a care in the world, and even daring to stare at him in the process.
But, he could not argue with Itachi that he resembled the boy from his past. Naruto was handsome in his own way, instead of being mysterious like the raven, he was an open book. His blue eyes were his most fascinating feature, yet the small scars that adorned his cheeks, gave his face a animalistic vibe. He had an infectious persona, people clung to him like bees to honey.
The blond was always happy. Smiling way too much for any person.
it annoyed him to no end.
And as the blond and the woman approached her house along the street, he watched as Naruto turned to his side, half of his face now visible to the raven who froze at the sight of it, for reasons he was unaware.
Itachi was getting in his head.
An elderly man, most likely the woman's husband, took the boxes from the lad thanking him for keeping his wife safe, as Naruto blushed, scratching the back of his head replying that It was nothing and anyone would of done the same.
Sasuke snickered to himself knowing that not just anyone would of helped.
Only an idiot with far too much free time.
With one more grin and wave, Naruto watched the couple enter their house, and stood there staring where they were with a genuine smile causing Sasuke to still once over.
Naruto looked at his feet briefly with the smile still not decreasing, until he turned his head and noticed the raven staring at him as their eyes met. An electricity ran through his veins that the black mane man could not explain, but did not let show.
A pointed glare was sent as Naruto grabbed the back of his hoodie putting it over his head, and like a child, stuck his tongue out at Sasuke before walking quickly down the street once more.
Sasuke was right. He was such a dobe.
An image of a similar figure forcibly entered his mind, his gorgeous yellow tresses and sky blue eyes that looked at him with such a love he had never felt in his entire life.
"Sasuke!"
And most of all, he thought of the boy's smile and how his eyes always seemed to shine with him and how the moment his soft lips moved upward, everyone around him would melt and follow his witty will and command.
He stared at the retreating back of the orange wearing man, who turned to round the corner, his face visible to him one final time.
That dangerous smile again.
The raven frowned.
They aren't alike. Not. At. All.
A/N: Although I was not planning to cut this chapter off here originally, I don't want to cram too many ideas in one chapter and I want to get this out as soon as I can! My vision for Naruto in this is someone who has a hard time being mean to people so please don't think of him as spineless because he is far from it! I promise the next chapter will be longer as I am already working on it! Please tell me what you think, and thanks for reading!
Preview: "You holding a grudge on me, Sasuke?"
"I don't resort to such childish antics."